Blue Water Area football: Rivals set to clash in Week 3 — here are my picks

Last week's high school football scores in the Blue Water Area weren't pretty. In fact, not a single game was decided by less than 11 points. The average margin of victory was 34.5.

But I'm still pleased with a 5-0 mark in my Week 2 picks, which brings my overall record to 8-2 on the season. I'll take whatever I can get.

Here are my picks for Week 3:

Armada (2-0) at Croswell-Lexington (2-0), 7 p.m. Friday

There aren't many great matchups to choose from this week. But this one is an exception.

Four teams in the BWAC remain unbeaten. But that number will shrink Friday when the Pioneers host the Tigers. Armada is coming off a 42-18 victory over Yale, while Cros-Lex handled Richmond, 61-7, to open conference play. Together, these two have outscored their opponents 165-59. If you like offense, you're going to love this.

Tigers quarterback Lucas Pratt is 15-for-18 passing for 199 yards and three touchdowns against one interception this season. Running back Vinny Fodale has 138 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries, while Kyle Coenen is at 209 yards and two scores on 33 attempts.

For the Pioneers, quarterback Gavin Espinoza is 14-for-34 passing for 262 yards and five touchdowns against one interception. The junior has also rushed for 156 yards and two scores. But the workhorse for Cros-Lex has been Gabriel Groppi. After two games, his rushing totals are 469 yards (10.9 per carry) and five touchdowns on 43 attempts.

Armada has already upset one local powerhouse on the road this season in Marine City in the season opener. Can they make it two in three weeks? Keep in mind that the Pioneers haven't lost to a BWAC team at home since Oct. 18, 2019.

The pick: Cros-Lex

Cardinal Mooney (1-1) at Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (2-0), 12 p.m. Saturday

I'm still in awe of what Brendan Haisenleder did last week. The senior running back rushed for 392 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries in the Cardinals' 43-32 loss to Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary on Sept. 2.

That performance was truly special. But what also stood out was Haisenleder's mentality after the game. While proud of his play, Cardinal Mooney's captain wasn't interested in personal stats. Instead he focused on the end result and how the Cardinals could build off an emotional defeat.

Starting quarterback Brian Everhart felt the same way. He played well on both sides of the ball with one passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown and an interception on defense. But that wasn't important to Everhart either. Improving for Week 3 was already on his mind.

Now they'll visit a Liggett team that has outscored opponents 88-0 this season. That's an incredible start. But the Knights' first win came against Detroit Communication Media Arts, which had to forfeit its game in Week 2.

Non-conference battles can be difficult to gauge. Fortunately, this game between Cardinal Mooney and Liggett opens up Catholic League play. Expect the Cardinals to come out hungry for a win.

The pick: Cardinal Mooney

Marysville (1-1) at St. Clair Shores South Lake (2-0), 7 p.m. Friday

The Vikings obliterated Hazel Park, 53-12, in Week 2. Those 53 points were the most they've scored in a game since 2018.

Running back Carter Saccucci bullied his way to 210 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Fullback Tyler McKenney joined in on the fun and ran for 40 yards with three scores of his own. Two more players (Mitchell Donaldson and Ben Sylvia) added rushing touchdowns for Marysville.

But this next matchup won't be as easy. South Lake sits atop the MAC Silver with a 2-0 record. The Cavaliers are fresh off a 38-12 win over Madison Heights Madison. That followed a 46-40 victory over Macomb Lutheran North in Week 1.

Friday will also be the Vikings' first road game. They were 1-3 away from Walt Braun Viking Stadium in 2021.

Marysville will need another big night from its defense, which shined against Hazel Park. Tyler Simpson finished with 12 tackles and a safety at linebacker. Defensive back Braden Turner and defensive lineman Derek Gurne each tallied seven tackles.

The pick: South Lake

Port Huron Northern (2-0) at Macomb L'Anse Creuse North (0-2), 7 p.m. Friday

I know what this looks like on paper — a one-sided affair. Perhaps the only solace for L'Anse Creuse North is that it'll be the host. But home-field advantage likely won't stop the Huskies, who are off to a rolling start.

Port Huron Northern's offense is averaging 42.5 points per game through the first two weeks. Quarterback Dylan Bloink has been phenomenal. The senior is 13-for-22 passing for 168 yards and three touchdowns. He's also rushed for five scores.

Sophomore running back Reace Buckhana has thrived during his first two games at the varsity level. He's totaled 147 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. At the wide receiver positions, four different players have caught touchdown passes in Danny Moore, Jacob Kerrigan, Max Williams and Hayden Prone.

But Northern's calling card is its defense. The Huskies have given up just 18 points all season. They blocked three punts in the first half during a 41-6 victory over Warren Fitzgerald on Sept. 1.

L'Anse Creuse North has only scored 17 points total in its first two games. I'll let you do the math.

The pick: Port Huron Northern

St. Clair (1-1) at Marine City (1-1), 7 p.m. Friday

East China Stadium should be buzzing Friday when its two main tenants collide in a MAC Silver matchup.

Both the Saints and Mariners bounced back from opening losses with victories last week. St. Clair was led by Logan Ellis' 161 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 28-6 win over Warren Lincoln. Marine City's Zach Tetler ran for 169 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-14 triumph over Clawson.

But what stood out was the Mariners' ability to win big without injured senior quarterback Jeffery Heaslip. Freshman Lyncoln Osterland got the start and went 7-for-9 passing for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Marine City coach Daryn Letson said in a text message that Osterland "did a great job managing the game."

Letson added that the starter against St. Clair will "most likely" be a game-time decision. Heaslip finished 9-for-22 passing for 140 yards and two touchdowns in a double-overtime loss to Armada on Aug. 26. Regardless of who lines up under center for the Mariners, the Saints have their work cut out for them.

St. Clair could use another solid outing from its defense, which held Warren Lincoln to 0-for-8 on third-down conversion attempts. Linebacker Carter Peterson (three tackles, two for loss) was one of five Saints to record multiple tackles. Ellis, who is one of the area's top defensive backs, had an interception at strong safety.

The pick: Marine City

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.